Renewed War on Drugs, harsher charging policies, stepped-up criminalization of immigrants — in the current climate, joining the NACDL is more important than ever. Members of NACDL help to support the only national organization working at all levels of government to ensure that the voice of the defense bar is heard.
Take a stand for a fair, rational, and humane criminal legal system
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Help shape the future of the association
Join the dedicated and passionate team at NACDL
Increase brand exposure while building trust and credibility
NACDL is committed to enhancing the capacity of the criminal defense bar to safeguard fundamental constitutional rights.
NACDL harnesses the unique perspectives of NACDL members to advocate for policy and practice improvements in the criminal legal system.
NACDL envisions a society where all individuals receive fair, rational, and humane treatment within the criminal legal system.
NACDL’s mission is to serve as a leader, alongside diverse coalitions, in identifying and reforming flaws and inequities in the criminal legal system, and redressing systemic racism, and ensuring that its members and others in the criminal defense bar are fully equipped to serve all accused persons at the highest level.
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May we comply with a requirement to submit confidential attorney-client communications for review by a “Privilege Team” composed of law enforcement and intelligence officers without judicial oversight, and the provisions barring us from communicating on certain topics with our clients, whether or not those topics are directly related to our representation, consistent with our ethical obligations?
What is the proper course for a criminal defense attorney to follow if the defendant proposes to commit perjury?
Brief of National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers and Nevada Attorneys for Criminal Justice in Support of Appellant
Brief of Amici Curiae National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, New York State Defenders Association, Immigrant Defense Project, Regional Immigration Assistance Center 1–Western NY, Regional Immigration Assistance Center 2–Central NY, Regional Immigration Assistance Center 3–Northern NY, Regional Immigration Assistance Center 4–Hudson Valley, Regional Immigration Assistance Center 5–Nyc, New York County Defender Services, the Legal Aid Society, and Brooklyn Defender Services in Support of Defendant-Appellant Marco Martinez and in Support of Reversing the Decision of the County Court
For more than a year, NACDL has examined Maine’s public defense system, providing technical assistance to MCILS under a grant from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. ... As the nation’s preeminent criminal defense bar, NACDL is keenly interested in ensuring public defense providers have caseloads that are reasonable and allow them to fulfill their legal, ethical, and constitutional obligations.
Amicus Curiae Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Appellant.
Concerns with Revisions to the Military Commissions Act of 2006 in the Senate-Passed Version of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2009 … The undersigned organizations want to make clear both our opposition to resuming the use of military commissions to try terrorism suspects, and our concern with numerous provisions in the amendment to the MCA that we strongly urge you to consider. … military commissions would still be incapable of delivering on the twin goals of any effective judicial system: ensuring that justice is fair, and ensuring that justice is swift.
Letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding former Attorney General William Barr's ruling in Matter of Thomas and Matter of Thompson, 27 I. & N. Dec. 674 (AG 2019) changing DOJ and DHS policy so state courts can only affect immigration sentencing if related to underlying criminal proceedings and not the immigration case.
NACDL President Gerry Morris's letter to Senator Cory Booker regarding the need for federal funding and support for public defense services, as proposed in the Equal Justice Under Law Act of 2016 (S. 3144).
Brief of Eight Ethics, Criminal Defense and Public Interest Institutions and Associations as Amicus Curiae Supporting Contemnor-Appellant’s Appeal of the Municipal Court’s Contempt Conviction.
NACDL President Barry Pollack's letter to Representative Sean Patrick Maloney regarding the need for federal funding and support for public defense services, as proposed in the Equal Justice Under Law Act of 2017 (H.R. 968).
NACDL President Barry Pollack's letter to Senator Cory Booker regarding the need for federal funding and support for public defense services, as proposed in the Equal Justice Under Law Act of 2017 (S. 328).
NACDL's statement to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations regarding the need for reliable, accredited, transparent forensic science to ensure proper due process in criminal cases.
Coalition letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies regarding President Barack Obama's request to include in the 2017 federal appropriations bill grant funding for public defense services and support, to continue the "Answering Gideon's Call" initiative.
Brief of Amicus Curiae the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Petitioner’s Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Order.
